Call of the Colorado Plateau

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Call of the Colorado Plateau

January 25, 2026 – January 3, 2027

"Havasu Redwall" by Merrill Mahaffey, Museum of Northern Arizona collection | C2861
"Near the Mouth of Bright Angel Creek" by Gunnar Widforss, Museum of Northern Arizona collection | IL2019-42-1
The exhibit includes hiking boots, a backpack, and canteen used by Harvey Butchart. He explored the backcountry of the Grand Canyon on foot between 1945 and 1986, traveling more than 12,000 miles. The objects are on loan from the Grand Canyon Museum Collection.
"Vishnu Schist" by Stephen Auger, Museum of Northern Arizona collection | C2573
Untitled field study painting by Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, Museum of Northern Arizona collection | C2440
Everett Ruess letter to Pat Jenks, Dec. 17, 1931 | On loan from Joseph Reed

Step into a world of vast horizons, rugged canyons, and quiet solitude with Call of the Colorado Plateau. This immersive exhibition invites visitors to explore the profound impact of nature on the human spirit. Artists and adventurers drawn to the plateau’s stunning landscapes figure prominently, yet the show goes beyond the visual with multisensory experiences that capture the essence of being in the wilds. Breathe in the earthy scent of sun-warmed juniper, listen to the whisper of canyon winds, and feel the textured sandstone beneath your fingertips. Through tangible encounters, you’ll discover that the beauty of the Colorado Plateau is not only in what you see—but in how it makes you feel.

The exhibition begins with Observation Station: From the Rim by Flagstaff artist David Politzer. The installation examines how mobile technology and “selfie culture” alter the ways people experience and document nature. Large-scale artworks by Merrill Mahaffey and Stephen Auger convey the scale and intricacy of the plateau’s landscape. Other works, including those by Gunnar Widforss and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, underscore how artists became captivated with the beauty of the plateau. Call of the Colorado Plateau also references John Wesley Powell, who explored and mapped the Colorado and Green Rivers in 1869; Harvey Butchart, known for his extensive treks in the Grand Canyon; and artist-adventurer Everett Ruess, who disappeared in southern Utah in the 1930s.

The Colorado Plateau is a high-desert region covering about 130,000 square miles across the Four Corners area of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. It’s celebrated for a striking variety of landscapes and cultures, and its rock layers preserve one of the most complete records of Earth’s history. Located in Flagstaff on the plateau’s southern edge, the Museum of Northern Arizona serves as a welcoming starting point for learning about the region.

Visit our online collections portal and click on exhibitions to view MNA objects in the exhibit.